Could Indian casino come to Cleveland County? (updated 7:54 p.m.)

Sunday

Aug 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Updated 7:54 p.m.

Sources close to The Star say an Indian casino could be on its way to Cleveland County, bringing with it 3,000 to 3,500 jobs.

Cleveland County Commission Chairman Ronnie Hawkins said county officials met last month with a senior economic adviser to the governor to talk about a potential casino operated by the Catawba Indian Nation.

Hawkins says the site along I-85 south of Kings Mountain could include a casino, hotel and other retail businesses.

“At the request of Cleveland County, administration staff attended one informational meeting to listen," wrote Gov. McCrory's Communication Director Kim Genardo. "This is a local initiative.”

“Our Nation has consistently worked to develop economic projects that benefit both the people of the Catawba Nation and the people of the Carolinas," wrote leader of the Catawba Indian Nation, Chief Bill Harris, in a prepared statement. "We will continue that work and do so with the utmost respect for all legal and ethical issues and hope that others choose to do so as well."

The project would require a gambling compact, which McCrory could authorize without lawmakers' approval.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

What they said:

"I have not been informed of any meetings, and I have not been privy to any meetings about this issue."

Rep. Kelly Hastings (R-N.C. House District 110)

"If there is a project out there then it's an economic development project, and as such I cannot discuss it."

Interim County Manager David Dear

"I have no comment on any of this."

Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey

"I have no comment at this time."

Kings Mountain At-large Councilman Keith Miller

"I haven’t been involved (in talks) whatsoever and I haven’t heard anything official from anyone connected with the city. As far as I know, no one — I’m talking about council members — has been involved at all. Personally I think it might be a good idea. … We’ve been building our infrastructure to try and attract business."

Kings Mountain At-large Councilman Dean Spears

What it could mean:

House Speaker Pro Tem Skip Stam (R) was quoted this week as saying the potential project in Cleveland County would generate "10 times as much gambling" as Harrah's Cherokee due to its proximity to a major interstate (85).

Harrah's Cherokee currently attracts visitors from as far as the metro areas of Charlotte, Asheville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Atlanta, Nashville, Tenn., and Knoxville, Tenn.

The only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina, with ties to the Carolinas dating back 6,000 years

Based in Rock Hill, S.C. but has strong ties to Catawba County, N.C. and throughout the piedmont

Offer a variety of services to members, including scholarships, housing assistance, job placement, small business help and a senior center.

For more information, visit catawbaindian.net.

Updated 12:17 p.m.

"I have not been informed of any meetings and I have not been privy to any meetings about this issue," said Rep. Kelly Hastings (R-N.C. House District 110).

Hastings said the only time he even heard it come up in conversation was when a person called him to ask about legalities of closed meetings regarding economic development projects. That person, he said, was not a resident of Cleveland or Gaston counties.

Updated 11:56 a.m.

"If there is a project out there then it's an economic development project and as such I cannot discuss it," said interim County Manager David Dear.

Updated 11:27 a.m.

The Star has attempted to contact interim County Manager David Dear and county commissioners Ronnie Hawkins and Eddie Holbrook. Cleveland County Chamber President Michael Chrisawn was not familiar enough with the project to comment.

The following is an Associated Press report. The Star will have more information on this throughout the day.

ChaRLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's administration is considering an agreement to allow a South Carolina-based Indian tribe to open a casino near the state line.

Cleveland County Commission Chairman Ronnie Hawkins says officials in his county met last month with a senior economic adviser to the governor to talk about a potential casino operated by the Catawba Indian Nation.

Hawkins says the site along Interstate 85 south of Kings Mountain could include a casino. hotel and other retail businesses.

A spokesman for McCrory would not talk about the possibility because the project is still under discussion.

A spokeswoman for the Catawbas denied the tribe is seeking to operate in North Carolina.

The project would require a gambling compact, which McCrory could authorize without lawmakers' approval.